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R.I.P. Kenny McKinley

I was going to do a recap of Denver’s 31-14 win over Seattle, but that seems woefully inappropriate given the news that Broncos’ receiver Kenny McKinley was found dead this afternoon at his home. The details of what happened are in the linked story courtesy of The Denver Post.

What we have here is a scenario that is all too familiar for Broncos fans. McKinley is the third active Broncos player to die in the past four years (Darrent Williams, Damien Nash). It is obviously a shock when anyone dies young, and unfair is one of the words that comes to mind. McKinley seemed to have a bright future ahead of him. He finished his college career at South Carolina as the school’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Just two weeks ago he was back on campus for the Gamecocks’ rivalry game with Georgia, and seemed to be in good spirits according to Steve Spurrier. He was beset by injuries during his time with the Broncos, suffering a knee injury in Philadelphia last year after seeing action in eight games as a rookie, and then ending up on injured reserve again this past August. McKinley was a key contributor on special teams last season as a kick returner.

We shouldn’t need events like this to remind us that football is just a game. We all get caught up in the success or failure of our teams, and sometimes it’s easy to forget how trivial the results are when compared to life itself. Sports are ultimately about the people who play them, not the games themselves. In any case it seems that tragedy has once again hit the Denver Broncos organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kenny McKinley’s family and his teammates and coaches.